Hazmat 14 USPS Bio detection system Operations Flashcards
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has installed Bio-Detection Systems (BDS) in various large mail handling facilities throughout NYC. What is it used to detect?
1.1
The BDS is an automated system to detect anthrax that has been placed in the mail.
As the letter travels through the facility how long does the BDS analysis take to complete?
2
The BDS analysis process may take as long as 90 minutes to complete. The letter will continue through the facility during this 90 minute period.
What is mandatory at the field unit level when a Unit has one of these facilities in its administrative (BISP) district?
2
A CIDS card is mandatory for any USPS facility with a Bio-Detection System. The transmitted data area shall indicate the presence of a “USPS Bio-Detection System.”
The objective of the Department is to render assistance to the USPS within the scope of our resources. The Dept. will perform what actions at these facilities?
3.1
The Department’s mission will be to perform triage, treatment and decontamination of anyone that may have been exposed USPS employees, visitors and customers.
Upon activation of a BDS alarm, an automatic notification will be sent to the 911 system. FDNY units will receive notification that they are responding to a BDS alarm. It is possible that an individual may directly transmit the alarm via Interior Manual Fire Alarm, cell phone or other means prior to official notification. Units responding may not know if they are responding to a BDS alarm activation. When a box is received for a bulk facility other than a activation of a BDS alarm what shall the units responding do?
3.1 Safety Note
To prevent FDNY members from being exposed, units shall ALWAYS verify type of incident (e.g., Fire, Medical, BDS) when responding to USPS bulk facilities.
Where should the 1st arriving units report to and who should they make contact with?
6.
1st arriving units shall report to the Initial Emergency Response Meeting Point as per the Individual Facility Plan and make contact with the USPS Liaison.
Note: The USPS Liaison may need to be decontaminated.
Upon verification of a BDS alarm what code should be given and what initial info should be ascertained by the USPS Liason?
6
a. Verify activation of BDS alarm.
b. Transmit 10-80 Code 3 for confirmed BDS activation (See individual USPS Facility plan for additional units required above 10-80 Code 3).
c. Ascertain the following information from the USPS Liaison:
• Are there any immediate life safety concerns? (e.g., life threatening medical emergency, fire).
• Are all employees out of building or in a Safe Refuge Area (SRA) within the facility?
• Are all employees accounted for?
• Verify number of patients in each Exposure Group 1, 2, 3.
All BDS alarms will be treated as a Haz-Mat incident. When can units responding on the initial alarm enter the facilities?
8.1
Units responding on the initial alarm shall not enter the facility during the initial stages of the operation unless there is a life hazard that needs to be addressed immediately (e.g., life threatening medical emergency, fire).
Who is responsible for accounting for all employees, visitors and customers?
Who is responsible for primary and secondary searches at these facilities?
8.1 Note:
USPS will be responsible for accounting for all employees, visitors and /or customers and they are responsible to conduct a primary and secondary search if necessary.
If entry for Life Safety is deemed necessary can a member enter with full bunker gear and SCBA?
Any members making entry shall wear full PPE (bunker gear & SCBA are acceptable for life safety if a higher level of PPE is not available).
o Prior to entry, an Emergency Decon shall be established and a Fast Team designated.
o Proceed to Contamination Reduction Zone for decontamination.
o Maintain respiratory protection throughout the decontamination process.
The USPS using guidelines from the CDC will divide the facility employees into the following 3 Groups: (General Information)
- EXPOSURE GROUPS
Group 1 All persons who were not present in the production area containing the aerosol-generating equipment during the sampling and testing period before the BDS alarm, or who were not in an area that shares an HVAC system with the production area.
• Evacuate to SRA separate from
Group 2 and 3.
• No special decontamination
required.
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Group 2 All persons who were present in the production area containing the aerosol-generating equipment during the sampling and testing period before the BDS alarm or who were in an area that shares an HVAC system with the production area.
• Evacuate to SRA.
• Remove contaminated outer garments.
• Wash exposed areas of skin (e.g., face, hands and legs) with mild soap and copious amounts
of warm water.
• Change into replacement clothing (outer garments and shoes).
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Group 3 Workers identified in advance as particularly at risk of exposure to a higher concentration of deposited spores as a result of direct physical contact with the aerosol-generating equipment.
• Evacuate to SRA.
• Remove all contaminated garments.
• Will require full shower of all areas of the body with mild soap and copious amounts of warm
water.
• Change into replacement clothing (outer garments, underwear and shoes).
FDNY Units will be responsible for decontamination of what 2 groups at a USPS Bulk facility?
9.1
FDNY units will be responsible for decon of Group 2 & 3 patients. This will include operating in designated areas to assist individuals and the flow of patients to the designated decontamination areas. Units will also monitor the environment in these areas for other hazards. During decontamination operations, the only FDNY personnel permitted in the building will be Haz-Mat Technicians wearing the appropriate PPE.
